Electric control device for a camera

ABSTRACT

An automatic shutter control system for a camera includes a continuous rotatable motor coupled to a pair of separately engageable electromagnetic clutches. The clutches are respectively operable, when engaged, for releasing the shutter to commence exposure and for winding up the shutter after exposure has terminated. When camera operation is initiated, the first clutch is engaged to release the shutter and to trigger the start of a manually selectable exposure duration. At the conclusion of the selected duration, the first clutch is disengaged and the second clutch is engaged to begin the wind-up of the shutter. An inertial sensor on the motor terminates the wind-up operation and disengages the second clutch when the increased torque on the motor from wind-up reaches a predetermined value. Where continuous operation of the camera is desired, the completion of wind-up triggers an interval control circuit which effects the reengagement of the first clutch after a prescribed time delay to initiate another cycle of operation. Facilities are provided for overriding the manually set exposure duration whenever the required film exposure time exceeds such set duration to automatically delay the completion of the shutter release operation until the completion of the exposure.

The present invention relates to an electric control device for a camera, particularly to an electric control device for a camera suitable for a motor drive system.

Heretofore an electric control device employing a motor drive system is to stop a driving motor at the time shutter wind up is completed, therefore time is required for the starting of the motor for the next photographing thus high speed continuous photographing cannot be done. And as a motor drive system to continuously actuate a camera, there is known a drive clock system to conduct photographing holding the photographing cycle from shutter release starting till starting of next shutter release at a predetermined length of time, and a shutter clock system to vary the above mentioned photographing cycle corresponding to exposure time. Therefore, when shutter speed of a camera is manually pre-set, the exposure time becomes uniform, thus it inevitably becomes a drive clock, while in an EE camera in which shutter speed is automatically determined especially in an EE camera in which diaphragm is given preference, exposure time changes in each photographing thus it becomes a shutter clock. However, even in EE photographing, when such objects changing every second are photographed as in sports photographing, a drive clock is effective, and on the other hand when such objects as having their brightness sharply changed, a shutter clock is effective. Because of this in EE photographing by a motor drive such camera has been desired as having both drive clock and shutter clock.

The first object of the present invention is to provide an electric control device for a camera in which the shutter release wind up is repeated while rotation of motor is continued at the time of continuous photographing to that high speed continuous photographing can be done easier than before.

The second object of the present invention is to provide an electric control device of a camera in which photographing cycle is easily controlled by an external trigger terminal utilizing for example light, sound, electric wave, etc.

The third object of the present invention is to provide an electric control device for a camera in which wide range of shutter speed can be used depending on exposure conditions.

The fourth object of the present invention is to provide an electric control device for a camera in which four different modes of use can be made as one frame photographing and continuous photographing each by hand holding and by remote.

The fifth object of the present invention is to provide an electric control device for a camera having both a drive clock system and a shutter clock system.

The sixth object of the present invention is to provide an electric control device for a camera having a means to indicate whether a drive clock system or a shutter clock system is in use at the time of photographing.

The seventh object of the present invention is to provide an electric control device for a camera in which range of use of a drive clock is enlarged by providing a plural number of shutter timers.

The eighth object of the present invention is to provide an electric control device for a camera having a means to indicate the shutter timer which is in action corresponding to each shutter speed when plural number of shutter timers are provided.

The ninth object of the present invention is to provide an electric control device for a camera in which a number of semi-conductors are used in the electric control circuit to hold the number of mechanical switches to the minimum required for enhancing reliability.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block arrangement diagram showing an example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement of a driving mechanism of the camera in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view to show the way the motor in FIG. 2 is supported.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view to show a shutter wind up coupler of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view to show a rotation member for shutter release control of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram to show an electric control circuit of the camera in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7a, b, c, d are circuit diagrams to show functional states of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram to show a first modification example of the photographing time control circuit shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram to show a second modification example of the photographing time control circuit shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C is a circuit drawing to show a third modification example of the photographing time control circuit shown in .[.FIG. 2..]. .Iadd.FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram arrangement illustrating the time control units as separate units from the main body of the camera. .Iaddend.

Now an example of the present invention shall be explained referring to the drawings. FIG. 1 is to show an outline of the device by a block diagram, wherein E is a power source, S₁ is a switch for placing the power source E in association with the first step action of a release button not shown in the drawing, and a power source self retention circuit 1 becomes ON as said switch S₁ becomes ON, and at the same time a motor M rotates. S₂ is a switch which is linked with the second step action of a release button not shown in the drawing. As this switch S₂ becomes ON, a second thyrister SCR₂ becomes ON, also placing a first electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₁ in ON state, thereby a lock mechanism 2 is actuated by the motor M, locking the release member 3 and starting shutter releasing. Said second thyrister SCR₂ is made OFF by said lock signal to make the first electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₁ OFF, and at the same time the photographing time control circuit 4 is actuated placing an electro-magnet P in ON state after a lapse of T₁ second, and the lock of the release member 3 by the above lock mechanism 2 is released to complete the release. The first thyrister SCR₁ is made ON by this lock release signal to place the second electro-magnet clutch coil CL₂ in ON state, thereby a wind up coupler 5 is actuated by the motor M to conduct wind up of shutter. Y-shape fork lever 6 is actuated by completion of shutter wind up to place the switch S₄ in OFF state momentarily, placing the above mentioned second electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₂ in OFF state, and at the same time a photographing time control circuit 7 is actuated, placing the above mentioned second thyrister SCR₂ in ON state after a lapse of T₂ seconds, thereafter same process as above is repeated to perform continuous photographing action. When the above mentioned power source E self retention circuit 1 is placed in OFF state by a momentary OFF action of the switch S₄, one frame photographing can be made. S₆ is a switch to make change over between the photographing time control circuit 4 and an external signal supplied from the terminal Sig. 1. S₇ is a switch to make change over between the photographing interval time control circuit 7 and an external signal supplied from the terminal Sig. 2.

Now concrete explanations shall be made on FIG. 1, and first the driving mechanism of a camera shall be explained by FIG. 2. M, 2, P, 3, 5, 6, S₄ are a motor, a lock mechanism, a release member, an electro-magnet, a wind up coupler, Y-shape fork lever, a switch, respectively shown in FIG. 1. The motor M is fixed to a holder 10 by screw 10a as shown in FIG. 3, and the holder 10 is rotatably attached to a case 12 by bearing 11. A Y-shape forked lever 6 which is biassed in a clockwise direction by a spring 14 to the position of a stopper 13 always is attached to a stator of said motor M by a screw 6a. This motor M is so made as being rotated integrally with the Y-shape forked lever 6 against the spring 14 when the reaction of the motor M is momentarily increased. A pin 6b is provided at one end of the Y-shape forked lever 6 and a movable contact of the switch S₄ of constantly closed type is made to engage with said pin 6b, and when the Y-shaped forked lever 6 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, the movable contact leaves a fixed contact placing the switch S₄ in OFF state. A first gear 15 is attached to a rotating axle M₁ of said motor M, and second and third gears 16, 17 are engaged with the first gear, but in .[.FIG. 1.]. .Iadd.FIG. 2 .Iaddend.for convenience of explanation they are linked together with belts x and y. A fifth gear 19 engages as shown in FIG. 4, as a last wind up gear, with a fourth gear 18 being installed coaxially with said second gear 16. An electro-magnetic clutch plate 20 is installed coaxially 19a with said fifth gear 19, and an extension axle 21a of a disk 21 installed to the case 12 is inserted inside the axle 19a, and the axle 19a is made rotatable against the extension axle 21a. An electro-magnetic clutch plate 22 provided at one end of a wind up coupler 5 is positioned at a position corresponding to the electromagnetic clutch plate 20, and a projected part 5a provided at the other end plane of the wind up coupler 5 engages with an engaging member of a camera not being shown in the drawing. A forward end of the extension axle 21a of the disk 21 is inserted into an axle 5b of a wind up coupler 5, and said forward end of the extension axle 21a is made rotatable against the wind up coupler 5. And electro-magnetic clutch plates 20 and 22 forming second electro-magnetic clutch 23 are so opposed to each other as being separated by a predetermined distance. The second electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₂ is placed adjacent to said electro-magnetic clutch 23, wherein the electro-magnetic clutch plates 20, 22 are coupled together when said second electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₂ is conducted through. And an electro-magnetic clutch plate 24 is attached to the third gear 17 to their co-axle 17a, and an extension axle 25a of a disk 25 installed to the case 12 is inserted inside the axle 17a, wherein the axle 17a is rotatable against the extension axle 25a. An electro-magnetic clutch plate 27 of a release control rotating member 26 is placed against the electro-magnetic clutch plate 24. This rotating member 26 consists of an electro-magnetic clutch plate 27 and a stop cam 28 having an engaging part 28a, and a release cam 29 having a riser part 29a being placed co-axially 26a. And a forward end of the extension axle 25a of the disk 25 is inserted in the axle 26a of the rotating member 26, and is rotatable against the extension axle 25a. The electro-magnetic clutch plates 24 and 27 forming the first electro-magnetic clutch 30 are so opposed against each other as being separated by a predetermined distance. A first electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₁ is placed being adjacent to said electro-magnetic clutch 30, wherein when the first electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₁ is conducted through, the electro-magnetic clutches 24 and 27 are coupled together. And a forward end of a lever 32 is biassed by a spring 31 in a clockwise direction and has a stepped part 32a at its center is placed on a release cam 29. This lever 32 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction by being pushed with a pin 29b provided on the release cam 29, and an end part 34a of T-shape lever 34 being biassed in a counter-clockwise direction by a spring 33 engages with the stepped part 32a of said lever 32. This T-shape lever 34 is so made as having its engagement with the stepped part 32a released by the rotation of the lever 32 in a counter-clockwise direction, and being rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to the position of the stopper 34₁. When this T-shape lever 34 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction its end part 34b engages with the engaging part 28a of the stopper cam 28. And a pin 34d is provided at an end part 34c of the T-shape lever 34, wherein the T-shape lever 34 is rotated in a clockwise direction by pushing the pin 34d with the rotation of the above mentioned lever 32, and the end part 34a of the T-shape lever 34 is made to engage with the stepped part 32a of the lever 32. 2 is a lock mechanism composed of a release lever 35 and an engaging lever 36, and the release lever 35 is biassed in a clockwise direction by a spring 37 with its one end serving as an axial support part, and a roller 38 provided at a center of the lever 35 is made to contact with the release cam 29 by the biassing power of the spring 37. The other end 35a of said release lever 35 is so made as engaged with a stepped part 36a provided at one end of an engaging lever 36 in L-shape having a bent part used as an axial support part. This engaging lever 36 is biassed in a counter-clockwise direction by spring 39, and an electro-magnet P is provided near one end of the engaging lever 36, wherein when the magnet P is in action a steel plate part 36b at one end of the engaging lever 36 is attracted by the electro-magnet P, releasing the lock between the other end 35a of the release lever 35 of the lock mechanism 2 and the stepped part 36a of the engaging lever 36, to rotate the release lever 35 in a clockwise direction. A movable contact of the switch S₃ is engaged at the other end of the engaging lever 36, and the movable contact of the switch S₃ is changed over to b side of the fixed contact when the engaging lever 36 and the release lever 35 are locked, on the other hand when the lock between the engaging lever 36 and the release lever 35 is released the movable contact of the switch S₃ is changed over to a of the fixed contact. And a movable contact of a switch S₃ ' of constantly closed type is provided on the release cam 29 behind said lever 32, wherein when this movable contact is pushed by the pin 29a, the movable contact of the switch S₃ ' is separated from the fixed contact to place the switch S₃ ' in OFF state. And a release member 39 which is linked with the release lever 35 is provided at the projection part 35b at the other end of the release lever 35.

Next, explanations shall be made on the electric control circuit for a camera shown in FIG. 1 by referring to FIG. 6, wherein the same parts as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 will be identified by the same reference numbers or marks. F is a direct current power source, and to both ends of the power source E, a relay contact l₁ is connected in parallel while a power source switching in switch S₁ which is linked with the first step action of a release button which is not shown in the drawing and the motor M are connected in series. The switch S₄ of ordinarily closed type, the second electro-magnetic clutch coil CL.sub. 2, and the first thyrister SCR₁ in an ordinary direction are connected in series between the connecting point (hereinafter called point A at positive potential side) between the switch S₁ and the motor M, and the negative potential side of the power source E. This second electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₂ is placed in conductive state when the first thyrister SCR₁ becomes ON. The gate of the first thyrister SCR₁ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₁ to which a capacitor C₅ is connected in parallel. The connecting point between the switch S₄ and the second electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₂ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₂, a diode D₂ in an ordinary direction, and a capacitor C₃ in series. The connecting point between the switch S₄ and the second electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₂ is connected to the base of the first transistor Tr₁. The base of said first transistor Tr₁ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₄, and the collector is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₃, while the emitter is connected to the above mentioned diode D₂ and the capacitor C₃. This first transistor Tr₁ is placed in ON state by electric charge of the capacitor C.sub. 3 when the switch S₄ becomes OFF. A power source self-retention circuit (⊥), comprising the above mentioned relay contact l₁, the switch S₄, the relay L being connected in series, is connected to the both ends of the power source E. And the point A at positive potential side is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the switch S₂, which are linked with the second step action of the release button with the capacitor C₈, the resistor R₁₁ being connected in series. The connecting point of said switch S₂ and the capacitor C₈ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₁₀. Also the point A at the positive potential side is connected to the movable contact of the switch S₃, and the fixed contact a of the switch S₃ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the first electro-magnetic clutch CL₁, the second thyrister SCR₂ in ordinary direction in series. This first electro-magnetic clutch CL₁ is placed in conductive state when the second thyrister SCR₂ becomes ON. The gate of said second thyrister SCR₂ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₁₂ to which a capacitor C₉ is connected in parallel. The connecting point between the capacitor C₈ and the resistor R₁₁ is connected to the gate of the second thyrister SCR₂ through the diode D₄ in ordinary direction. The point A at positive potential side is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through resistor R₆ and the resistor R₇ in series, and the connecting point between said resistor R₆ and the resistor R₇ is connected to the emitter of the second transistor Tr₂. The base of the second transistor Tr₂ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the capacitor C₆, and its collector is connected to the point A at the positive potential side through the resistor R₅, further the collector is connected to the base of the third transistor Tr₃. The emitter of said third transistor Tr₃ is connected to the point A at the positive potential side, and its collector is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₈, further the collector is connected to a fixed contact a of the switch S₇ through the capacitor C₇, and the diode D₅ in ordinary direction in series. Said third transistor Tr₃ is placed in ON state as the second transistor Tr₂ is placed in ON state. The connecting point of the capacitor C.sub. 7 and the diode D₅ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₉. The fixed contact b of said switch S₇ is connected to the external signal input terminal Sig. 2, while the movable contact of the switch S₇ is connected to the gate of the above mentioned second thyrister SCR₂. Said second thyrister SCR₂ will be placed in ON state when the plus pulse at the time when the third transistor Tr₃ is placed in ON state or the external signal from the terminal Sig. 2, by selection with the switch S₇, is supplied. The point A at the positive potential side is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the switch S₃ ' , the resistor R₁₄, the resistor R₁₅, and the third thyrister SCR₃ in an ordinary direction in series. The connecting point between the switch S₃ ' and the resistor R₁₄ is connected to the connecting point between the fixed contact a of said switch S₃ and the first electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₁, while the connecting point between the switch S₃ and the resistor R₁₄ is connected to the anode of the above mentioned third thyrister SCR₃ through the first variable resistor RV₁ and the capacitor C₁ in series. The connecting point between the above mentioned first variable resistor RV₁ and the first capacitor C₁ is connected to the anode of a first programable unijunction (hereinafter called PUJ), wherein the gate of the PUJ₁ is connected to the connecting point between the above mentioned resistor R₁₄ and the resistor R₁₅, and the cathode of the PUJ₁ is connected to the anode of the above mentioned third thyrister SCR₃ through the resistor R₁₆ and the diode D₆ in ordinary direction in series. The cathode of the PUJ₁ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₁₇, further the cathode is connected to the base of the above mentioned second transistor Tr₂ through the diode D₇ in ordinary direction. This PUJ₁ is placed in ON state after lapse of such length of time as determined by the first variable resistor RV₁ and the capacitor C₁, placing the second transistor Tr₂ in ON state. The photographing interval time control .[.circuit 2.]. .Iadd.circuit 7 .Iaddend.comprises the resistor R₁₄ the resistor R₁₅, the first variable resistor RV₁, the capacitor C₁, and the PUJ₁. And the gate of the third thyrister SCR₃ is connected to the negative potential side through the resistor R₁₃ to which the capacitor C₁₀ is connected in parallel. The gate of the third thyrister SCR₃ is connected to the fixed contact a of the switch S₅ having the fixed contacts a and b, and the collector of the above mentioned first transistor Tr₁ is connected to the movable contact of said switch S₅ through the diode D₃ in ordinary direction. This third thyrister SCR₃ is placed in ON state when the first transistor Tr₁ becomes ON. And the fixed contact b of the above mentioned switch S₃ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₁₈, and the resistor R₁₉ in series. The fixed contact b of the switch S₃ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the second variable resistor RV₂ and the capacitor C₂ in series. The connecting point between the second variable resistor RV₂ and the capacitor C₂ is connected to the anode of the second programable uni-junction (hereinafter called PUJ). The gate of this PUJ₂ is connected to the connecting point between the above mentioned resistor R₁₈ and the resistor R₁₉. The cathode of this PUJ₂ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₂₀, and the cathode of PUJ₂ is connected to the fixed contact a of the switch S₆. The PUJ₂ will be placed in ON state after a lapse of such length of time as determined by the second variable resistor RV₂ and the capacitor C₂. The photographing time control circuit 4 comprises the resistor R₁₈, the resistor R₁₆, the second variable resistor RV₂, the capacitor C₂, and the PUJ₂. The external signal input terminal Sig. 1 is connected to the fixed contact b of the switch S₆ through the diode 9 in ordinary direction. The movable contact of said switch S₆ is connected to the gate of the fourth thyrister SCR₄. The gate of the fourth thyrister SCR₄ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the capacitor C₁₂, and its cathode is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E, while its anode is connected to the fixed contact b of the above mentioned switch S₃ through the electro-magnet P to which the capacitor 11 is connected in parallel. Said fourth thyrister is placed in ON state when either the plus pulse as PUJ₂ becomes ON or the external signal from the terminal Sig. 1 is supplied to the gate by selection with the switch S₆. The electro-magnet P becomes ON when the fourth thyrister is placed in ON state. And the fixed contact b of the switch S₃ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₂₁, the diode D₈, and the capacitor C₄ in series. The connecting point between said diode D₈ and the capacitor C₄ is connected to the emitter of the fourth transistor Tr₄, and the base of said fourth transistor is connected to the fixed contact of the switch S₃ while its base is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₂₃. The collector of said fourth transistor Tr₄ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₂₂, and the collector is connected to the gate of the above mentioned first thyrister SCR₁ through the diode D₁. This fourth transistor Tr₄ is placed in ON state by the electric charge of the capacitor C₄ when the movable contact of the switch S₃ is changed over from the fixed contact a to the fixed contact b, wherein the first thyrister SCR₁ is placed in ON state when the fourth transistor TR₄ becomes ON.

Next the function of the above mentioned set-up shall be explained starting with the explanation of the case for continuous photographing. The movable contacts of the switches S₅, S₆, S₇ are changed over to the fixed contact a side, and the driving mechanism of a camera is at first almost in a state shown in FIG. 2, wherein the movable contact of the switch S₃ has been changed over to the fixed contact a side, and the switch S₃ ' is in ON state, and the switch S₄ becomes ON. First, when the switch S₁ becomes ON by the first step action of a release button which is not shown in the drawing, the motor M starts rotating and at the same time, the power source self-retention circuit 1 functions, that is the relay L becomes conductive placing the relay contact l₁ in ON state, and self-retaining the power source E. And as the switch S₂ becomes ON by the second step action of the release button, the plus pulse is given to the gate of the second thyrister SCR₂ through the diode D₄, thus the second thyrister SCR₂ becomes ON. Therefore, as the first electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₁ becomes conductive connecting the electro-magnetic clutch plates 24 and 27, the release control rotating member 26 is rotated in a clockwise direction. Thereby the lock mechanism 2 functions, that is, the riser part 29a of the release cam 29 pushes the release lever 35 through the roller 38, therefore the release member 5 is pushed to start the shutter release and at the same time the end part 35a of the release lever 35 engages with the stepped part 36a of the engaging lever which is biased in a clockwise direction by the spring 39, and is locked. By this locking the movable contact of the switch S₃ is changed over from the fixed contact a to the fixed contact b side. This state is shown in FIG. 7a. And as the rotating part 26 continues rotation the pin 29a rotates the lever 32, which is biassed by the spring 31, in a counterclockwise direction, releasing the engagement between the stepped part 32a and the end part 34a of the T-shape lever 34. By the T-shaper lever 34 is rotated by the spring 33 in a counter-clockwise direction as far as the position of the stopper 34a. Immediately after this the pin 29a pushes the movable contact of the switch S₃ ' placing the switch S₃ ' momentarily in OFF state cutting off the conductance of the first electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₁. This state is shown in FIG. 7b. Since the second thyrister SCR₂ becomes OFF by the momentary off of the switch S₃ ', the plus pulse is given to the gate again, and above mentioned first electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₁ will not be in conductive state until the second thyrister becomes ON. By this engagement between the electro-magnetic clutch plates 24 and 27 is released, but the rotating member 26 continues, as shown in FIG. 7d, rotating by inertia until the engaging part 28a of the stop cam 28 is engaged with the end part 34b of the T-shape lever 34. Also, as the movable contact of the above mentioned switch S₃ is changed over to the fixed contact b side, the photographing time control circuit 4 functions, and after a lapse of time T₁ (photographing time) which is determined by the second variable resistor RV₂ and the capcitor C₂, PUJ₂ becomes ON, therefore plus pulse is given from the cathode of the PUJ₂ to the gate of the fourth thyrister SCR₄, thus the fourth thyrister SCR₄ becomes ON placing the electro-magnet P in conductive state. By this, as the electro-magnet P attracts the engaging lever 36, the locking of the lock mechanism 2 that is the engagement between the stepped part 36a of the engaging lever 36 and the end part 35a of the release lever 35 is released, returning the release lever 35 and the release member 5, and completing the shutter release. This means completion of the exposure. At the same time the movable contact of the switch S₃ is changed over from the fixed contact b to the fixed contact a side. This state is shown in FIG. 7c. By this, the electro-magnet P cuts off its connection with the power source E, but keeps ON state for a predetermined length of time by the electric charge of the capacitor C₁₁. At this time while the fourth transistor Tr₄ is in OFF state as the base electric potential is higher than the emitter electric potential when the movable contact of the switch S₃ is changed over to the fixed contact b side, but as the movable contact of the switch S₃ is changed over to the fixed contact a side, the emitter electric potential becomes higher than the base electric potential by the electric charge of the capacitor C₄. Therefore the fourth transistor Tr₄ is in ON state. Because of this, the electric charge of the capacitor C₄ is discharged through the resistor R₂₂, and therefore the plus pulse is given to the first thyrister SCR₁ through the diode D₁, thus the first thyrister SCR₁ becomes ON, placing the second electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₂ in conductive state. By this, as the electro-magnetic clutch plates 20 and 22 are coupled together, the rotation of the motor M is transmitted to the wind up coupler 5 rotating the same performing the shutter wind up action. And when the shutter wind up action is completed, because of the increase of the output torque of the motor M its reaction increases momentarily. Therefore, the Y-shape forked lever 12 rotates in a clockwise direction against the spring 14, placing the switch S₄ in OFF state momentarily and at the same time the pin 34d of the T-shape lever 34 is pushed up, rotating the T-shape lever 34 to clockwise direction against the spring 34, coupling the end part 34a of the T-shape lever 34 and the stepped part 32a of the lever 32. By this the T-shape lever 34 has the engagement between its end part 34b and the engaging part 28a of the stop cam 28 is released, placing the rotating member 26 in a rotatable state. At the same time, as the switch S₄ momentarily becomes off, the second electromagnetic clutch coil CL₂ becomes OFF. By the momentary off of the switch S₄ the first thyrister SCR₁ becomes OFF, therefore the plus pulse is given to the gate again, thus the second electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₂ will not be in conductive state until the first thyrister SCR₁ becomes ON. Because of this, the coupling of the electro-magnetic clutch plates 20 and 22 is released, therefore the rotation of the motor M will not be transmitted to the wind up coupler 5, thus the shutter wind up action will be stopped. Also, while the first .[.rransistor.]. .Iadd.transistor .Iaddend.Tr₁ is placed in OFF state since the base electric potential becomes higher than the emitter potential when the switch S₄ is in ON state, the emitter electric potential becomes higher than the base electric potential by the electric charge of the capacitor C₃ when the switch S₄ momentarily becomes OFF, thus the first transistor Tr₁ becomes ON. By this the electric charge of the capacitor C₃ is discharged through the resistor R₃, and thus the plus pulse is given to the gate of the third thyrister SCR₃, placing the third thyrister SCR₃ in ON state. Therefore, the photographing interval time control circuit 2 functions and after a lapse of T.sub. 1 seconds (photographing interval) which is determined by the first variable resistor RV₁ and the capacitor C₁, PUJ₂ becomes ON, thus the plus pulse from the cathode of said PUJ₁ is given to the base of the second transistor Tr₂, placing the second transistor Tr₂ in ON state. By this the third transistor Tr₃ becomes ON, and the plus pulse is given to the gate of the second thyrister SCR₂ through the diode D₅, placing the second thyrister SCR₂ in ON state. Thus returning to the first state, and when the release button is kept being pushed, the first electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₁, the electro-magnet P, and the second electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₂ work in turn with the ratio of the photographing time T₁ and the photographing interval time T₂, thus continued photographing is done.

And as the release button is released the switches S₁ and S₂ become OFF, and at the time when the shutter wind up is completed the switch S₄ becomes OFF, then the conductance to the relay L is cut off and the relay contact l₁ becomes OFF, thus the power source self retention is not done, and the motor M is stopped and all function is stopped.

Next, explanations shall be made on the case when one frame photographing is done. In this one frame photographing while the movable contact of the switch S₅ is changed over to the fixed contact b, the setting of other switches is same as that in the continuous photographing, therefore explanation of such portion as having same function as in the continuous photograhing shall be omitted. After the shutter release wind up, the plus pulse from the first transistor Tr₁ will not reach the third thyrister SCR₃ as the switch S₅ is changed over to the fixed contact b side. Because of this for making photographing again the release button is once released placing the switches S₁, S₂ in OFF state, then the release button is pushed again placing the switches S₁, S₂ in ON state to conduct photographing.

And the photographing time T₁ second may be so determined as corresponding to the brightness using a photo-conductive element such as CdS, etc., instead of the second variable resistor RV₂.

Also about the photographing time T₁, the movable contact of the switch S₆ is changed over to the fixed contact b side, and instead of the signal by the second variable resistor RV₂, the capacitor C₂, such external signals as light, sound, electric wave, etc. being supplied from the terminal Sig. 1 may be used to control the fourth thyrister SCR₄. For example when a Braun tube CRT is photographed, the fourth thyrister SCR₄ may be placed in ON state by a sweeping completion signal, to complete exposure.

Similarly, about the photographing interval time T₂ second, the movable contact of the switch S₇ is changed over to the fixed contact b side, and instead of the signal by the first variable resistor, the capacitor C₁ such external signals as light, sound, electric wave, etc. supplied by the terminal Sig. 2 may be used to control the second thyrister SCR₂ to work the first electro-magnetic clutch coil CL₁.

The electric control device in which both the photographing time control device and the photographing interval control device mentioned above are composed by timer circuits may be so made as a separate unit from a camera main body.Iadd., as shown in FIG. 11. .Iaddend.

As a modified example of the photographing time control circuit 4 of the present invention, the photographing time T₁ second may be so determined as corresponding to the film exposure time as shown in FIG. 8. Explanations on the parts corresponding to those shown in FIG. 6 are omitted. That is, the fixed contact b of the switch S₃ is connected to the negative electric potential side of the power source E through the third variable resistor RV₃ and the capacitor C₁₃ intervened in series, and the fixed contact b of the switch S₃ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₂₄ and the resistor R₂₅ intervened in series. The connecting point between the resistor R₂₄ and the resistor R₂₅ is connected to the gate of a third programable uni-junction (hereinafter called PUJ), and the anode of this PUJ₃ is connected to the connecting point between the above mentioned third variable resistor RV₃ and the capacitor C₁₃, while the cathode of said PUJ₃ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the switch S₈ and the resistor R₂₆ which become ON by the film exposure completion signal intervened in series, and the cathode of said PUJ₃ is further connected to the fixed contact c of the switch S₆ through the luminous diode LD₁ and the resistor R₂₇ intervened in series. The fixed contact point c of switch S₆ is connected to the connecting point between the above mentioned switch S₈ and the resistor R₂₆. And a terminal Sig. 3 for giving an indication of the luminous diode LD₁ at outside is taken out of the both ends of the luminous diode LD₁. In such set-up, when the movable contact of the switch S₆ is changed over to the fixed contact c side and the movable contact of the switch S₃ is changed over to the fixed contact b side by the locking of the lock mechanism 2, the PUJ₃ becomes ON with such time T seconds as will be determined by the third variable resistor RV₃ and the capacitor C₁₃. If the exposure of film has been completed at this time, the switch S₈ becomes ON, therefor the plus pulse from the cathode of the PUJ₃ is given to the gate of the fourth thyrister SCR₄ through the switch S₈, the switch S₆, placing said fourth thyrister SCR₄ in ON state. At this time photographing is done by a drive clock. When the exposure of film has not been completed the switch S₈ is in OFF state, therefore the luminous diode LD₁ radiates light until film exposure is completed, then the switch S₈ becomes ON after completion of film exposure, thereby the plus pulse from the cathode of the PUJ₃ is given to the gate of the fourth thyrister placing said fourth thyrister in ON state. At this time photographing is made by a shutter clock. At this time by suitably selecting the values of the capacitor C₁₃ and the resistor R₂₇ the reduction of the electric charge at the capacitor C₃ by the luminescence of the luminous diode LD₁ is held to very small amount.

And when the circuit comprising the resistor R₁₈, the resistor R₁₉, the second variable resistor RV₂, the capacitor C₂, the PUJ₂ is made a long time timer circuit, while the circuit comprising the resistor R₂₄, the resistor R₂₅, the third variable resistor RV₃, the capacitor C₁₃, PUJ₃ is made a shutter timer circuit, said long time timer circuit and the shutter timer circuit can be served by one timer circuit as shown in FIG. 9. That is, the long time timer circuit in FIG. 8 is removed and the anode of the luminous diode LD₁ may be connected to the fixed contact b of the switch S₆. The case when the plural number for example two of the shutter timer circuit shown in FIG. 9 are used will be shown in FIG. 10, and the explanations for the same portion as in FIG. 6 shall be omitted. That is, the cathode of the PUJ₃ is connected to the fixed contact c of the switch S₆ through the switch S₈ ' which becomes ON by film exposure completion signal and the switch S₈ which becomes ON also by film exposure completion signal. The connecting point between the switch S₈ ' and the switch S₈ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor 26. A series circuit composed of the luminous diode LD₂ and the resistor R₂₇ ' is connected in parallel with said switch S₈ ' . A terminal Sig. 4 is taken out of the both ends of said luminous diode LD₂ for making the indication of the luminous diode LD₂ at outside. The anode of the PUJ₃ is connected to the gate of the fifth transistor Tr₅, and the collector of said fifth transistor Tr₅ is connected to the fixed contact b of the switch S₃, while its emitter is connected to the gate of the fifth thyristor SCR₅ through the capacitor C₁₄, the diode D₁₁ in series, further the emitter is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₂₈. And the connecting point of the capacitor C₁₄ and the diode D₁₁ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₂₉. The gate of said fifth thyrister is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₃₀ to which the capacitor C₁₅ is connected in parallel. And the anode of the fifth thyrister SCR₅ is connected to the fixed contact b of the switch S₃ through the resistor R₃₁, while the cathode of said fifth thyrister SCR₅ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the resistor R₃₂. Also, the cathode of the fifth thyrister SCR₅ is connected to the gate of a fourth programable uni-junction (hereinafter called PUJ), and the anode of said PUJ₄ is connected to the fixed contact b of the switch S₆ through the fourth variable resistor RV₄, while the anode of the PUJ₄ is connected to the negative potential side of the power source E through the capacitor C₁₆, further the cathode of the PUJ₄ is connected to the connecting point between the above mentioned switch S₉ and the switch S₈. And a series circuit of the luminous diode LD₁ and the resistor R₂₇ is connected in parallel with the both ends of the switch S₈, and a terminal Sig. 3 for making an indication of the luminous diode LD₁ at outside is taken out of the both ends of said luminous diode LD₁. The anode of said luminous diode LD.sub. 1 is connected to the fixed contact b of the switch S₆ through the connecting point between the above mentioned switch S₈ ' and the switch S₈. And a first shutter timer circuit is composed by the above mentioned resistor R₂₄, resistor R₂₅, the third variable resistor RV₃, the capacitor C₁₃, and PUJ₃, while a second shutter timer circuit is composed of the above mentioned resistor R₃₁, the resistor R₃₂, the fourth variable resistor RV₄, the capacitor C₁₆, and PUJ₄. Under such set-up as just mentioned, when the movable contact of the switch S₆ is changed over to the fixed contact c, and the movable contact of the switch S₃ is changed over to the fixed contact b side by locking of the lock mechanism 2, the PUJ₃ becomes ON after a lapse of time of T seconds which is determined by the third variable resistor RV₃ and the capacitor C. If film exposure has been completed at this time the switches .[. S₉ .]. .Iadd.S₈ ' .Iaddend. and S₈ become ON, therefore the plus signal from the cathode of the PUJ₃ is given to the gate of the fourth thyrister SCR₄, placing said fourth thyrister SCR₄ in ON state, at this time a drive clock photographing by the first shutter timer circuit is done. On the other hand, if film exposure has not been completed the switch .[.S₉ .]. .Iadd.S₈ ' .Iaddend. is OFF, therefore the luminous diode LD₂ radiates light making such indication that the first shutter timer is not in proper state, and at the same time the fifth transistor Tr₅ becomes ON. By this plus pulse is generated by the resistor R and the capacitor C and is given to the gate of the fifth thyrister SCR₅, thus placing said thyrister in ON state. Because of this, the PUJ₄ becomes ON after an lapse of time of T seconds which is determined by the fourth variable resistor RV₄ and the capacitor C. If film exposure has been completed by this time the switch S₈ becomes ON, therefore the fourth thryister SCR₄ becomes ON by the plus pulse from the cathode of the PUJ₄. At this time a drive clock photographing by the second shutter timer control circuit will be made. Also if the film exposure hs not been completed the switch S, becomes OFF, therefore the luminous diode LD₁ radiates light making such indication that the second shutter timer also is improper. When the film exposure is completed the switch S₈ becomes ON, and the plus pulse from the cathode of the PUJ₄ is given to the gate of the fourth thyrister, placing said thyrister in ON state. At this time photographing is done with shutter clock and the above mentioned indication that the second shutter timer is also improper means that photographing will be done with shutter clock. By connecting these shutter timer circuits any number of shutter timers may be set.

As has been described in detail according to the present invention the rotation of a motor is transmitted by an electro-magnetic clutch. And thus the shutter release wind up can be repeated while the rotation of the motor is continued, easily allowing high speed continuous photographing. Also since outside trigger terminals are provided at the photographing time control circuit and at the photographing interval time control circuit, the photographing cycle can be easily controlled by such external signal as light, sound, electric wave, etc. Also as the time set at the photographing time control circuit can be made variable, a wide range of shutter speed can be used depending on exposure conditions, further by changing over the switch S₅ four different modes of use that is hand holding and remote for each of one frame photographing and continuous photographing can be easily selected. Furthermore, a plural number of timer circuits are provided at the photographing time control circuit, and when film exposure time comes in accord with each of the time set at each timer circuit, it is made as the photographing time, and even when the film exposure time exceeds each of the set time, automatically the completion of film exposure is waited and is made as the photographing time, thus both drive clock system and shutter clock system can be provided. The electric control device for a camera in the present invention has such effect that the state of photographing action can be easily seen by eyes as a means provided to indicate whether the drive clock or the shutter clock is in use. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric control device for a camera which comprises a first electro-magnetic clutch means for shutter release being able to be coupled to a motor being rotated, a second electro-magnetic clutch means for shutter wind-up also being able to be coupled to a motor being rotated, a first clutch control means placing said first electro-magnetic clutch means in a coupled state in association with pressing down of a release button, a lock means operable to lock a release member when said first electro-magnetic clutch means is in coupled state to initiate shutter release, a first switch means responsive to the operation of the lock means to place said first electro-magnetic clutch means in a noncoupled state, a photographing time control circuit rendered effective by the operation of said lock means, a lock release means operative to release the above mentioned lock means after a lapse of time set by said photographing time control circuit, a second electro-magnetic clutch control means responsive to the operation of the lock release means to place the above mentioned second electro-magnetic clutch means in a coupled state, and a second switch means operative upon the completion of the above mentioned shutter wind-up to place the above mentioned second electro-magnetic clutch means in a non-coupled state, whereby separate shutter release and wind-up operations may be accomplished while the motor is being continuously rotated.
 2. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 1, in which the device further comprises, a triggerable photographing interval time control circuit operable upon triggering for establishing a predetermined time delay, means responsive to the operation of the second switch means for triggering the photographing interval time control circuit, and means rendered effective at the conclusion of the time delay established by the photographing interval time control circuit for again placing the fist electro-magnetic clutch means in the coupled state.
 3. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 1, in which the device further comprises means responsive to the operation of the second switch means for terminating the rotation of the motor.
 4. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 1, in which the photographing time control circuit comprises an adjustable R-C series circuit operable when selected for manually setting the above mentioned time lapse manually, an external input operable when selected for setting the above mentioned time lapse in accordance with an external parameter, and third switch means for selecting between the series circuit and the external input.
 5. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 2, in which the photographing interval time control circuit comprises an adjustable R-C series circuit operable when selected for setting the above mentioned time delay manually, an external input operable when selected for setting the above mentioned time delay in accordance with an external parameter, and third switching means for selecting between the series circuit and the external input.
 6. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 2 wherein the photographing time control circuit and the photographing interval time control circuit comprise timer circuits made as separate units from a main body of the camera.
 7. An electrical control device for a camera according to claim 1, in which the photographing time control circuit comprises a plural number of timer circuits to set times, and in which the photographing time control circuit includes facilities for setting the photographing time equal to the time required for exposure of film when such exposure time exceeds any one of said set times.
 8. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 7 in which the photographing time control circuit further comprises a means to indicate that the photographing time is over the set time.
 9. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 7 in which the photographing time control circuit further comprises a means to indicate that the photographing time is within the set time. .Iadd.
 10. In a camera having a shutter capable of being wound and a shutter release member, comprising a rotatable motor, a first electro-magnetic clutch means coupled to the shutter for releasing the shutter and coupleable to the motor, a second electro-magnetic clutch means coupled to the shutter for winding the shutter and coupleable to the motor being rotated, a first clutch control means coupled to the first electro-magnetic clutch means and the release member for engaging said first clutch means in response to operation of the release member, a lock means coupled to the release member and said first electro-magnetic clutch means for locking the release member in a release position when the first electro-magnetic clutch means is engaged, a first switch means responsive to the operation of the lock means for disengaging said first clutch means, a photographic time control circuit coupled to said lock means and rendered effective by operation of said lock means, said time control circuit including a timer, first signal means in said time control circuit coupled to the timer for producing an output signal in response to the timer, second signal means in the time control circuit for producing an output signal in response to external stimuli, a lock release means operative to release said lock means in response to the output signal of said first signal means and said second signal means, a switching means in the time control circuit coupled to said first signal means and said second signal means and said lock release means for selectively applying one of the signals from said first signal means and the signals from said second signal means to said lock release means, a second electro-magnetic clutch control means responsive to the operation of said lock release means for engaging said second clutch means to wind the shutter, a second switch means coupled to the shutter and coupled to said second clutch means for disengaging said second clutch means in response to the shutter being wound. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 11. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 10, in which the device further comprises a triggerable interval time control circuit operable upon triggering for establishing a predetermined time delay, means responsive to the operation of the second switch means for triggering the interval time control circuit, and means rendered effective at the conclusion of the time delay established by the interval time control circuit for again placing the first electro-magnetic clutch means in the coupled state. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 12. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 10, in which the device further comprises means responsive to the operation of the second switch means for terminating the rotation of the motor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 13. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 10, in which the photographing time control circuit comprises an adjustable R-C series circuit operable when selected for manually setting a time lapse, an external input operable when selected for setting the time lapse in accordance with an external parameter, and third switch means for selecting between the R-C series circuit and the external input. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 14. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 11, in which the photographing interval time control circuit comprises an adjustable R-C series circuit operable when selected for setting the above mentioned time delay manually, an external input operable when selected for setting the above mentioned time delay in accordance with an external parameter, and third switching means for selecting between the series circuit and the external input. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 15. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 15, wherein the photographing time control circuit and the photographing interval time control circuit comprise timer circuits made as separate units from a main body of the camera. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 16. An electrical control device for a camera according to claim 10, in which the photographing time control circuit comprises a plural number of time circuits to set times, and in which the photographing time control circuit includes facilities for setting the photographing time equal to the time required for exposure of film when such exposure time exceeds any one of said set times. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 17. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 16, in which the photographing time control circuit further comprises a means to indicate that the photographing time is over the set time. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 18. An electric control device for a camera according to claim 16, in which the photographing time control circuit further comprises a means to indicate that the photographing time is within the set time. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 19. An electric driving device for a camera in which a shutter release means and a winding means are driven by a driving means to sequentially release and wind a shutter, comprising:a first timer coupled to and actuated in response to the release means for producing a signal upon elapse of a predetermined time after actuation of the timer; a first receiving means for receiving an external exposure completion signal; a first gate coupled to said first receiving means and said first timer for applying the signal of either one of said first timer and said first receiving means to the winding means; a second timer coupled to the winding means and actuated by completion of winding of said winding means to produce an output upon elapse of a prescribed time after actuation of said second timer; a second receiving means to receive an external signal and producing an output; and a second gate coupled to said second timer and said second receiving means for applying the output of one of said second timer and said second receiving means to said release means. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 20. A device according to claim 19, in which the first gate is a switch. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 21. An electric driving device for a camera in which a shutter release means and a winding means are driven by a driving means to subsequentially release and wind a shutter comprising;a first timer coupled to and actuated in response to the release means for producing a signal upon elapse of a predetermined time after actuation of the timer; a switching means for connecting the first timer and the winding means in response to completion of an exposure; a second timer coupled to the winding means and actuated by completion of winding of said winding means to produce an output upon elapse of a prescribed time after actuation of said second timer; a receiver means to receive an external signal and producing an output; and a gate coupled to said second timer and said receiving means for applying the output of one of said second timer and said receiving means to said release means. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 22. A device according to claim 21, which further comprises;second receiving means for receiving outside signals, and selector means for adding the output of any of said first timer and the second receiving means. .Iaddend. 